Airlines warned of possible toothpaste bombs

MINNEAPOLIS -- Airlines that have flights going into Russia have been warned of a new security threat by the Department of Homeland Security; explosive materials could be concealed in toothpaste or cosmetic tubes.

The bulletin was issued to airlines by DHS Wednesday night.

Information about this possible threat was picked up in modes of intelligence that authorities have been monitoring closely ahead of the Winter Games kick off in Sochi Thursday.

Security for these games has been the most extensive in Olympic history because of the persistent threat by extremists just outside of Sochi.

Jack Rice, a former CIA officer, says issuing the warning was the best call.

"I think it was the right call to alert the airlines because if they had something specific they had to put it out there especially if something were to happen and they found out after the fact. That would be a disaster," Rice said.

DHS said in a statement that it issued this alert out of an abundance of caution.